Chapter 24: One-Sided Battle

"I didn't expect that our newly built Xuanwu City would already have visitors coming to 'pay a visit'!"

"Lin Yue let out a cold laugh; although he said they were guests, it was obviously a sarcastic remark."

"\"Guests? Are... are they monsters? \""

"Wang Gongtou hurriedly climbed up the watchtower, raised his binoculars and looked in the direction Lin Yue had indicated."

"But he saw nothing there; the place remained dead silent."

"\"There's nothing at all, Lin Xiaozi, are you too nervous? \""

"He lowered the binoculars, feeling doubtful."

"\"It's not that I'm nervous; Xuanwu sensed it. \""

"Lin Yue shook his head, then pointed at the Xuanwu beneath him,"

"\"Its perception is far more sensitive than any instrument. Moreover, those who came this time are probably not monsters. \""

"Wang Gongtou's heart skipped a beat; if it's not monsters, then only one possibility remains,"

"\"Could it be... people from the refuge? \""

"\"Very likely. \""

"Lin Yue's tone was very calm, giving no hint of joy or anger,"

"\"We've made such a huge commotion; it would be strange if they didn't come. I just never imagined they'd arrive so quickly. \""

"He felt little surprise in his heart."

"\"An innocent man is guiltless, but he who holds a jade incurs guilt\"—he understood this principle better than anyone."

"For the rulers in the refuge, the temptation to control Xuanwu—a near‑invincible entity in the early apocalypse—was deadly."

"\"They wouldn't be here to seize Xuanwu, would they?! \""

"Wang Gongtou seemed to have thought of something, and said uncertainly,"

"He said so because he knew too well the nature of those high officials—they always wanted to keep anything good for themselves."

"\"Maybe. \""

"Lin Yue shrugged indifferently,"

"\"That's just human nature; even if they really think that way, I wouldn't find it strange. Of course, these are just our guesses—let's first see what they intend to do. \""

"As they spoke, a black, peculiarly shaped armored vehicle suddenly appeared."

"The vehicle's door slid open silently, and more than a dozen black shadows in exoskeleton armor filed out, quickly dispersing."

"\"Hiss... it's the 'Night Blade' special forces team! \""

"Wang Gongtou got a clear look at their gear through the binoculars and sucked in a breath of cold air,"

"\"This is the refuge's most elite unit—every one a Soldier King! They actually sent the Night Blade team; it seems they truly intend to seize Xuanwu! \""

"His last lingering hope for the refuge was completely shattered."

"Dispatching the Night Blade makes their intent obvious."

"\"Old Wang, if you're right, they're nothing but malicious guests showing up. \""

"Lin Yue's eyes turned cold. He had not wanted to clash with the refuge, after all, a friend is better than an enemy."

"But since they have already moved against him, he need not stay polite."

"\"Xuanwu, \""

"he said calmly,"

"\"Get ready; let's play with them. \""

"About a kilometer out, Night Blade team captain Gui Ying, was observing the situation on Xuanwu's back through his tactical goggles."

"When he saw the level fields, solid walls, and towering houses, even though he was used to big scenes, his eyes were filled with undisguised shock."

"\"My heavens... this really is a city... \""

"Beside him, a rookie muttered to himself, his voice sounding like a dreamy mumble."

"\"Everyone, perk up! \""

"Gui Ying let out a low shout, forcibly suppressing the shock in his heart,"

"\"This just shows how important our mission is! \""

"He took a deep breath and began issuing orders:"

"\"The target seems to have detected us but shows no obvious hostility. This is exactly our chance! They're letting their guard down! \""

"\"Fengniao, Bihu, you go left flank to the rear, find a chance to infiltrate! Remember, the target is that old man! \""

"\"The rest of you, follow me in a frontal advance! Stay alert and be ready to fire at any moment! \""

"\"Yes! \""

"Two slender-built team members immediately broke from the unit, their exoskeleton armor switching to low‑power stealth mode, nearly blending with the surrounding shadows as they silently crept toward the rear side of Xuanwu."

"Meanwhile, Gui Ying led the remaining members forward step by step, pressing the attack."

"Although they were cautious, Lin Yue on Xuanwu's back took it all in, the corner of his mouth twitching into a barely perceptible cold smile."

"Still trying to flank and ambush?"

"Too naive."

"Before Xuanwu's 360‑degree blind‑spot‑free perception, any stealth attempt is like dancing under a spotlight—laughable."

"Lin Yue didn't immediately call out their trick; he also wanted to see what other tactics they could pull."

"\"Lin Xiaozi, they've split off two people to go around to the rear! \""

"Wang Gongtou urged anxiously,"

"\"I saw them. \""

"Lin Yue soothed,"

Just relax and watch the show, old sir.

Soon, the special forces squad members codenamed "Hummingbird" and "Gecko" had successfully maneuvered to the flank of the Black Tortoise.

Looking at the towering turtle shell that rose like a cliff, the two exchanged a glance and saw shock in each other's eyes.

"How... do we get up?"

Gecko lowered his voice, his tone dry and raspy.

"Use the grappling hook!"

Hummingbird took down the specially made launcher from his back,

"Aim at those protrusions, quick!"

"Whoosh! Whoosh!"

Two steel-cable-equipped grappling claws shot out silently, precisely latching onto a protrusion on the Black Tortoise's back.

The two tested its hold, then activated the exoskeleton's climbing-assist system, their bodies pressing against the Black Tortoise and climbing upward like geckos.

Their plan was simple: once they got onto the turtle's back, with their strength they could silently take out an unarmed old man in just a few seconds.

However, at the instant their fingertips were about to touch the edge of the turtle's back,

"Since they're so eager to come here as guests, Black Tortoise, please 'invite' these people over."

The moment his words fell, Black Tortoise prepared to manipulate the surrounding gravel and soil, wrapping the Night Blade special forces squad.

This way it would harm neither their lives nor leave them combat-effective.

Boom!!!!

Without any warning, the ground beneath Gui Ying and his troops suddenly came alive!

The hard concrete floor instantly turned into flowing mire, an irresistible force surging up from below and pinning them firmly in place.

"What's happening?!"

Gui Ying's mind rang with alarm as he tried to fire the exoskeleton's powerful thruster, only to find his feet as if set in concrete, utterly immobile.

Immediately, the soil and rubble beneath them, like a living tide, surged upward wildly, crawling up and covering their bodies.

"Oh no! It's an earth ability! Break free!"

Hearing that, the squad members fired their electromagnetic rifles wildly at the ground beneath them, kicking up clouds of blue sparks, but could not stop the earth and stone from spreading.

Their exoskeleton armor groaned under the immense pressure.

In just a few seconds, this well-equipped elite special forces squad was wrapped up, leaving only their heads exposed like terracotta warriors, unable to move.

As for the two who were about to climb onto the turtle's back for a sneak attack, their fate was even more direct.

They only felt the "wall" beneath them suddenly twitch, and then countless tendrils of condensed earth and stone shot out from the edge of the turtle's back, wrapping and binding them in a flash before being hefted and flung before Gui Ying and the others.

The battle began suddenly and ended just as suddenly.

All told, it lasted no more than ten minutes.

The Night Blade special forces squad was utterly annihilated.

Suddenly, the earth and stone on the Black Tortoise's back gradually coalesced into a staircase that extended down to the ground.

Lin Yue walked down the staircase with his hands in his pockets, expression indifferent, followed by the dumbstruck Wang Gongtou.

He approached the most tightly bound Gui Ying, crouched down, locked eyes with those filled with shock, anger, and resentment, and curled the corner of his mouth slightly upward.

"Hello, guest from afar."

"Now, can you tell me what you came to my place... intending to do?"

The air was deathly silent.

Only the ragged breaths of the Night Blade squad members and the grating "creak" of their exoskeleton armor under the stone pressure could be heard.